NE NEWS SERVICE
GANDHINAGAR, AUG 31
The 135th meeting of the Offshore Security Coordination Committee (OSCC) is scheduled to be held at Ahmedabad on September 1, for reviewing the preparedness of India’s offshore installations, Indian Coast Guard officials said on Thursday.
The meeting will be held under the presidency of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) chief Rakesh Pal.
The meeting will be attended by stakeholders/ representatives from various organizations namely the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Director General of Hydrocarbons, Information Bureau, Director General of Shipping, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The 134th OSCC meeting was held in January this year, under the Chairmanship of the Director General, Indian Coast Guard, VS Pathania.
During the meeting, Pathania highlighted the importance of offshore energy installations in the country and their security.
He said that the possibility of assault by inimical forces cannot be ruled out, stressing the need to stay focused and be ready to take stringent offshore security measures at all times.
The OSCC was constituted in the year 1978 to ensure smooth and effective functioning of offshore security arrangements. The OSCC is the apex body for reviewing and evaluating Offshore Security in India. The Committee comprises members drawn from the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, IB, MEA, Police and ONGC to examine issues related to the Safety and Security of offshore assets.
